Ursa Major + Ayla: The Super Summer into Fall Trio!

August 22, 2016 by Sarita Coren

When a brand blows me away, I sit up and take notice. That’s what happened the first time I used Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant, $18. After trying nearly every other natural deodorant available, this is the first stick that glides on the way conventional drugstore versions do. That means zero clumping, crumbling, softening, or leaving unsightly stains on clothing or anywhere else. Plus, it’s a powerhouse that wipes out odors for 24 hours. I’d know because it passed my stringent sniff test many, many times in the toughest conditions.

I’ve been using this deodorant daily for a few months. As you can see, it lasts a really long time, AND I never have to wipe off the edges due to excess product. The surface looks as good as the day I started applying it.

Then this summer, Ursa Major went ahead and knocked me off my feet again with the latest launch: Force Field Daily Defense Lotion with SPF 18, $54. This SPF is one of the lightest sunscreens around, hands down. It feels like a lotion and, if I were to compare it, the texture feels lighter than Josh Rosebrook’s Nutrient Day Cream, a slightly denser formula that’s ideal when you want more moisture.

The founder and beauty curator at Ayla, Dara Kennedy, shared her thoughts about it in an email to me:

I got the SPF in stock and it’s awesome. I actually use it on top of a hydrating serum and an oil, since my skin tends to be dehydrated, but I think oily skin types might be able to use it on its own. I’m just excited to get a non-white, COMPLETELY non-greasy SPF with such clean ingredients. And I think it’s great that they get the SPF 18 rating with just one pump of it (which is unusual!).”

I’ve been using it for several weeks now and really enjoying the easy application that leaves absolutely no shine or white residue. It offers barrier protection with non-nano zinc oxide, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, but you can’t feel it sitting on top of skin, that can often be the case with broad-spectrum sunscreens.

About Ursa Major

To me it seemed like this small Vermont-based company had a meteoric rise—one day I had never heard of it and then suddenly everybody was buzzing about it all over social media. Maybe it makes sense for a brand that’s named for a constellation. Of course, I’m sure it looked very different from the company’s perspective. I did reach out to the company for more information about them, but have not heard back yet, so I can’t share much more about their background in skincare and how they develop their products.

However, Dara gave us her impressions of the brand having evaluated them for inclusion in Ayla’s well-edited site:

I’m really impressed with Ursa Major’s formulas and their value. Unlike a lot of other brands in the green beauty category, the textures are very lightweight and refreshing, which is perfect for the dog days of summer, and actually quite hard to achieve with a clean formula. The SPF is a great example. I honestly can’t think of another mineral-based SPF that feels so light aside from MD SolarSciences.”

She added that based on her vast experience with brands, their prices are incredibly reasonable for what you’re getting.

What’s up with SPF 18?

You may be scratching your head and wondering about the unusual rating of SPF 18 versus the standard SPF 30 or more. Leave it to Ayla’s team to ask and answer this question too.

SPF is actually one of those really confusing numbers in which the higher the SPF number, the more it creates a false sense of sun safety. Firstly, SPF only measures the ability to block UVB rays, the type that cause “B” for “burning;” it doesn’t measure the way a product shields us from UVA rays, the type that cause “A” for “Aging.”

Secondly, the difference between SPF 18 and SPF 30 is negligible in terms of protection. In fact, an SPF of 18 blocks over 93 percent of incoming rays, while an SPF 30 would block 97 percent.

Ursa Major’s Force Field Daily uses non-nano zinc oxide, which provides the best and safest coverage possible across both UVA and UVB.

Of course, if you can’t wait to snag this Super Summer Trio, then you can head over right now by clicking the box below.

It’s the perfect end-of-summer pack that you’ll still be reaching for in fall, and it’s valued at $96!! Contest is open to everyone, including international participants. Winner will be announced on Monday 8/29. Good luck!

Ursa Major is on my wishlist for a long time, so if I win I’d be so grateful 🙂 I´d be particularly interested in the effectiveness of their deodorant but it would be also interesting to compare daily defense lotion with JR nutrient day cream 🙂

I’ve been trying to convert my hubby to cleaner personal care, and most cleaner deodorant are either use fingers or too floral/citrus scent. I should be able to convince him to try this as this is more unisex and same application as drug store brand.

Thanks for the review. Have you tried the 365 sunscreen (Gressa, I think?) How does Ursa Major compare in texture? The 365 was very heavy on my face. I don’t have oily skin, but it just had too much heft to it.

Hey Annette, Ursa Major is more of a light lotion and vanishes on the skin. It really does. In post, I put too much on my hand, and it still disappeared after I massaged it in. Great for oily skin gals or anyone who doesn’t want to know they’re wearing sunscreen. You’ll forget you put it on, as far as weight on the skin, not performance. Kari Gran’s 365 feels like a serum and leaves me glowy/shiny, which is perfect under matte makeup like Gressa’s foundation, most mineral powder, or NU EVOLUTION. Hope that helps! Xo

Would love to share the giveaway with other Green Beauty friends because we all love to find products that work for us. 🙂 I’ve never tried this brand and I am thankful for the opportunity with the giveaway! 🙂 xo

I’d like to share this giveaway with my best friend Khatija. Both of us have been on the lookout for a good moisturizing sunscreen but none of the products on the market right now have been satisfying. WOuld love to try this one out!

Oh I’ve seen so much love for the UM Daily Defense Lotion, but the price point seems high. 🙁 Have you ever tried Cyberderm Simply Zinc Sun Whip? That’s too heavy/ tacky for me, so I’d love to try this UM product! Seems pretty perfect in formulation etc. Many thanks!!

I’d love to share this with my sister, Jonilyn. I’m introducing her to the world of non-toxic products as I discover them myself. She is pregnant with her second and I think its so important to show her that what you put on your body is as important as what you put into your body for the health of herself and for her little ones.

Breathtaking new space Sarita! Brilliance, passion, and education at its finest! 🙂

Thanks to Art of Organics, I was introduced to Ursa Major this month. Their towelettes are a yogi and barre enthusiasts dream 🙂

I’ve both heard and read resounding praise regarding Ursa Majors deodorant and I can’t wait to try it out! Swapping out deodorants on my green beauty and wellness journey has proven to be incredibly challenging! I’m currently using Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant, and while their are aspects of it I like, the staining and the continuous need for reapplication throughout the day makes me hesitant to want to buy it again. And I’m probably in the minority, but my body’s chemistry personally didn’t respond well [sniff test and stain wise] to Agent Nateur Deodorant 🙁

As challenging as its been, I will never go back, but I am loving what I’m hearing regarding Ursa Majors deodorant. So thank you Sarita, for your knowledgeable and educating posts. Your words certainly invoke an emotional response—an artistry and ability [you possess] that is genuine, passionate, and connective! <3

I'm also curious if under certain conditions you would and/or might use Ursa Majors Defence Lotion over Kari Gran's SPF30? Thanks to Beauty Heroes for that lovely gem

So excited for this wonderful giveaway! I have always wanted to try Ursa Major products and I know my friend Aimee would love to as well.. We are both huge green beauty fans. Thanks for doing this giveaway!!

I would like to share this prize with my best friend. I’m trying to get her to try more clean products and get rid of things that are harmful to her. Recently a very popular brand of natural deodorant seems to have lost some of its staying power. I’d like to try something new

Thank you for this lovely giveaway. I would love to share this with my grand mom .She is a real natural beauty and recently a natural sunscreen broke her out . The texture was too thick i guess. She is looking for a nice light sunscreen and trying new green beauty brands is our passion so fingers and toes crossed :).

I’d share with my mum. She is very sensitive to deodorants so I hope she’d get along with this one and then she still doesn’t wear sunscreen everyday because they all break her out so maybe this one will finally convince her!

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